ITMI20101896A1 - LOADING SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR FOR THE LOAD OF INERT AND CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

LOADING SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR FOR LOADING INERT AND / OR CEMENTITIOUS MATERIALS

FIELD OF THE TROVATO

The present invention relates to a loading system, in particular for loading inert and / or cementitious material. For example, the system in question can be used for loading inert materials such as sand, cement conglomerates, gravel and other materials typically used in the civil sector on a transport vehicle, such as a truck or a concrete mixer.

STATE OF THE ART

As is known, there are on the market loading systems for moving material towards a compartment of a transport vehicle, such as for example a truck mixer.

For example, a known embodiment provides for the use of a loading system comprising a support structure carrying a mixer. The mixer receives one or more materials and, after a mixing phase, releases them to an underlying hopper which carries the material into the collection compartment of a truck mixer.

The solution described is subject to an uncontrolled loading of material leaving the mixer which can cause partial or total blockages of the material flow in the conveyor hopper. This problem causes the interruption of the system loading phase which affects the total loading time and consequently the operating costs.

Currently, if the loading hopper shows obstructions, the intervention of an operator is required to free the hopper from the material it contains. The release of the hopper turns out to be a fairly complex operation. Operator intervention also causes an increase in service costs.

PURPOSE OF THE FIND

A first object of the present invention is to solve one or more of the limitations and drawbacks of the previous solutions.

A further object of the invention is to make the loading system reliable and to prevent any overloads in the hopper.

Another object is to reduce the downtime of the system to a minimum. An additional purpose is to offer an automated system with excellent efficiency and which minimizes, during the loading phase, the cost of labor and makes the use of the system within the reach of anyone.

SUMMARY

At least one of the objects specified above is substantially achieved by a system according to one or more of the attached claims.

Aspects of the invention are described below.

A 1st aspect provides a system for lifting and optionally unloading materials, in particular inert materials, for loading systems, said system comprising: at least one support structure which extends along a prevailing direction of development and has a base and an upper area , at least one containment element for loading material, at least one dragging element engaged with said containment element and configured to move said containment element along a predetermined operating path, handling means associated with the support structure to impart motion to said dragging element allowing the movement of the containing element, in which said moving means and said dragging element are configured and coupled in such a way that, during the movement of the containing element, said moving means engage and release segments of the drag element chin.

In a 2nd aspect in accordance with the 1st said dragging element defines a contact area with said moving means.

In a third aspect, in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, said dragging element defines a contact area with said handling means having a surface of substantially constant area during movement of the containment element. In other words, the handling means have, for example, a rotating member (such as a pinion, a toothed crown, a toothed wheel) intended to transmit motion to the drive element: this rotating member is constantly gripped on the dragging element according to a mutual contact area of constant dimensions during motion; in practice, the driving element does not wind up progressively on the rotating part.

In a 4th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, said contact area extends from an engagement point to a release point with said movement means, for example from an engagement point to a release point defined peripherally at said rotating member.

In a 5th aspect in accordance with any of the previous aspects, said driving element is of elongated conformation. In practice, the longitudinal extension of the elongated element is enormously greater than the transversal dimensions of the same.

In a 6th aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, said driving element comprises a first portion engaged with said containment element. The commitment must be such as to allow the containment element to be lifted to full load,

In a 7th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the system has a counterweight associated with the dragging element and arranged in such a way as to at least partially counterbalance the weight of said containment element.

In an 8th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the system has a counterweight engaged with a second portion of said driving element, said contact area developing in a section of the driving element, intermediate between said first and second portion.

In a 9th aspect according to the previous aspect, said successive segments comprise intermediate portions of the driving element comprised between said first and second portion.

In a 10th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, said movement means comprise at least one motor, at least one transmission member connected to said motor to transmit motion to said transmission member, at least one driven member (for example the said rotating member) connected to said transmission member and active on said dragging element. Alternatively, the motor could be directly keyed onto the driven member.

In an 11th aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, said motor is configured to transmit a circular motion with a main rotation axis so that the driven organ can in turn rotate and transmit motion to the organ. duct which, as mentioned, can include a toothed crown, or a pinion, or a gear or other rotating member capable of engaging the driving element.

In a 12th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, said driving element is configured to arrange one or more of its portions according to radii of curvature of less than 300mm. In practice, a part of the driving element is married to the perimeter of the driven organ which is part of the handling means.

In a 13th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the driven member comprises a rotating element, for example a toothed wheel, a pinion, a toothed crown, having a radius of less than 300 mm.

In a 14th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the driving element comprises a plurality of openings, partially or totally crossing the cross section of the driving element.

In a 15th aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the openings are spaced along the longitudinal development of the element itself and are shaped to engage protuberances carried on an external periphery of the driven organ.

In a 16th aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, said drag element includes at least one selected from the group comprising:

â € ¢ at least one chain,

â € ¢ at least one rack,

â € ¢ at least one toothed belt.

In a 17th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the movement means comprise at least one motor, at least one transmission member connected to said motor and at least one driven member, which is connected to said transmission member and It is active on said drag element.

In an 18th aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, said motor is configured to transmit a circular motion having a main rotation axis.

In a 19th aspect in accordance with the 17th or 18th aspect, said transmission member comprises at least one transmission shaft terminally connected to said driven member and / or a predetermined number of mechanical transmission members engaged between said transmission shaft and the engine.

In a 20th aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, said driven member comprises at least a toothed crown (or a pinion or a toothed wheel) directly connected to said driving element, said crown being configured to receive motion from said motor and transmitting it to said driving element by engaging teeth of said crown in the openings present in said driving element.

In a 21st aspect in accordance with any of the previous aspects from 7th to 20th, the system is characterized by a counterweight coefficient, defined as the ratio between counterweight and net weight of the material lifted is included in the range from 0.1 to 2.0, where the counterweight is in turn defined as the difference between the total weight of the counterweight and the weight of the containment element.

In a 22 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the value of the counterweight coefficient is greater than 0.4.

In a 23rd aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, said support structure comprises at least one guide, said guide being configured to slide the containment element and guide the containment element along the operating path.

In a 24 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, said guide comprises at least a first guide and at least a second guide, called first and second guides, allowing the anchoring and sliding of said containment element.

In a 25th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the system comprises at least one overturning system operating in correspondence with said upper region of said support structure and active on said containment element.

In a 26 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, said overturning system comprises: a first terminal portion of said first guide, arranged according to a first direction, said first terminal portion being engaged with at least a first rolling element of said element containing, a second end portion of said second guide, arranged in a second direction different from said first direction, said second end portion being engaged with at least one second rolling element of said containment element.

In a 27 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, said second guide is inclined between 70 and 120 degrees, preferably between 80 ° and 95 °, with respect to the first direction.

In a 28 ° aspect in accordance with any of the 26 ° or 27 ° aspects, said first direction of said first terminal portion is substantially rectilinear and said second terminal portion of said second guide is configured to arrange one or more parts thereof according to radii of curvature less than 1200mm.

In a 29 ° aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the portion of said drag element engaged with said containment element is an end portion of the drag element.

In a 30th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, said containment element comprises at least one inlet and at least one outlet which respectively allow the introduction of material at the inside of the containment element and the expulsion of material from the containment element. .

In a 31st aspect, the lifting system in accordance with any of the preceding aspects comprises a loading system for loading inert and / or cementitious material, comprising at least one support structure, at least one mixer carried by said support structure, said mixer comprising at least one containment body, at least one general inlet for receiving material, at least one general outlet for discharging material, at least one hopper below said mixer and having at least one inlet in fluid connection with said general outlet of said mixer, at least one outlet which allows material to be discharged from said hopper.

A 32nd aspect comprises a loading system for loading inert and / or cementitious material, comprising at least one support structure, at least one mixer carried by said support structure, said mixer comprising at least one containment body, at least one general inlet for receiving material, at least one general outlet for discharging material, at least one hopper below said mixer and having at least one inlet in fluid connection with said general outlet of said mixer, at least one outlet which allows discharge of material from said hopper.

In a 33rd aspect the lifting system described in aspect 31 ° or aspect 32 ° comprises at least one anti-clogging device configured to prevent any overload and / or clogging of the hopper.

In a 34th aspect, the lifting system referred to in the previous aspect, the anti-clogging device comprises: at least one interception element configured to allow the regulation of the passage of material between said mixer and said hopper, at least one regulation system engaged with said interception element and / or with said mixer, configured to allow a variation of the relative position between said interception element and said mixer based on the detection of at least one control parameter.

In a 35 ° aspect according to the previous aspect, said interception element is interposed between said general outlet of said mixer and the inlet of said hopper, allowing the area of the general outlet of said mixer to be regulated.

In a 36 ° aspect according to the preceding aspect, said interception element comprises a sliding plate and / or a closing door hinged to one end of the general outlet of said mixer. Alternatively, said interception element comprises a sliding plate and / or a closing door hinged at the entrance to said hopper.

In a 37th aspect according to any one of the 34th to 36th aspects, said adjustment system comprises a sensor configured to allow the detection of said control parameter.

In a 38 ° aspect according to the previous aspect, said sensor comprises at least one selected from the group comprising: at least one load cell, which allows a detection of a load proportional to the weight of the hopper, at least one level sensor that is too full, which allows a detection of the material level inside the hopper, at least one flow sensor, which allows a detection of the flow rate relative to the material flow out of the hopper, at least one pressure sensor, which allows a pressure detection in correspondence with a predetermined section of the hopper.

In a 39 ° aspect according to the preceding aspect, said sensor comprises at least one load cell.

In a 40 ° aspect according to the previous aspect, said sensor comprises a load cell which allows a detection of a load proportional to the weight of the hopper.

In a 41 ° aspect according to the previous aspect, said load cell is operatively interposed between a portion integral with said hopper and a portion integral with said support structure.

In a 42 ° aspect according to the previous aspect, said support structure comprises a support frame rigidly supported by said support structure and said load cell is engaged between a first portion of said hopper and the support frame.

In a 43 ° aspect according to the previous aspect, said hopper comprises the first portion engaged to the support frame after interposition of the load cell and a second portion, spaced from the first portion and hinged to the support frame.

In a 44 ° aspect according to the 42 ° or 43 ° aspect, said support frame protrudes horizontally from the support structure.

In a 45 ° aspect according to the previous aspect, at least one strut is interposed between at least one upright of said support structure and at least a base portion of said support frame.

In a 46 ° aspect according to any one of the aspects from 37 ° to 45 ° said regulation system comprises: a control unit connected to said sensor, an actuator member active on the interception element, said control unit being configured to control the actuator member and automatically move said interception element according to the intensity of the control parameter detected by said sensor.

In a 47th aspect according to the previous aspect, said control unit is configured to compare the intensity of the control parameter with a reference threshold and, if this intensity exceeds the reference threshold, command the actuator to close the general output of said mixer,

In a 48 ° aspect according to the 46 ° or 47 ° aspect, said control unit is configured to memorize a reference value of the intensity of the control parameter and to command said actuator in order to maintain a real value of the intensity of the control parameter measured by said sensor in a predetermined neighborhood of said reference value.

In a 49 ° aspect according to the 46 ° or 47 ° or 48 ° aspect this control unit is configured to calculate an actual material flow rate through the hopper outlet and stop or reduce the flow of material to the hopper by means of the action on the interception element, when the total mass exiting the hopper has, in a predetermined time interval, reached a corresponding load value to be transferred.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying figures, provided only for indicative and therefore non-limiting purposes, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of a material lifting and unloading system for loading systems;

Figure 2 shows a profile view of the lifting system of Figure 1 in which a containment element is positioned substantially in correspondence with a base area of the lifting system itself;

- Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 in which the containment element has been moved from a base area to an area close to the top of the lifting system;

- Figure 3b is a view similar to Figure 2 in which the containment element has been moved to an area where the containment element can be seen overturned, that is, in an unloading position;

Figure 4, which is a top plan view of the lifting and unloading system in figure 1, highlights details relating to the handling and transmission means associated with the lifting system;

Figure 5 is a side view of a detail of Figure 1;

- Figure 6 is an overall view illustrating a loading plant in which the system according to the invention can be used;

Figure 7 shows the detail â € œAâ € in figure 2, relating to the handling means and the dragging element;

Figure 8 shows a detail of Figure 6 relating to a loading system in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, 1 indicates a lifting system as a whole. The lifting system 1 can be used in loading systems 100, for example of the type illustrated in figure 6 which schematically shows a loading system comprising, in addition to the lifting and unloading system 1, a storage and transport station for the inert material 101, placed on one side of the lifting system 1, and an auxiliary lifting unit 102 placed on another side of the lifting and unloading system 1. As shown in figure 6, the lifting and unloading system 1 is set up to receive loads from unit 101 and move them from the bottom up to a tipping station 35 (fig. 3) where the material present in the containment element 6 is unloaded downwards to be conveyed towards a hopper 103 belonging to the loading compartment of a transport unit, for example a truck mixer or other.

Going now into the detail of the description of the lifting system 1 and referring in particular to figures 2, 3, 3bis and 4, it should be noted that the lifting system 1 comprises a support structure 2 which extends along a direction of development 3 ( fig. 2) mainly vertical. The support structure 2 has a base 4 in contact with the ground and a series of uprights 104 which develop vertically extending from said base upwards to define an upper area 5 where the ™ containment element 6, as will be better illustrated below.

The support structure 2 comprises at least one guide 32 integral with the vertical uprights 104 and capable of defining a predetermined operating path 8 (fig.2) along which the containment element 6 is moved during the ascent and descent phase. The support structure 2 optionally includes two guides, one on each side of the lifting system 1, in order to allow a balanced movement and a stable guide of the containment element 6. Going now in greater detail, each guide 32 placed on each side of the lifting system 1 comprises at least a first guide 33 and at least a second guide 34. The first guide 33 is designed to receive in sliding engagement a first slider 38 (fig.3), for example comprising a or more sliding blocks or one or more rolling elements, bound to the containment element 6. In turn, the second guide 34 is designed to receive in sliding engagement at least a second slider 41 (fig. 3), for example comprising one or more slides or one or more rolling elements, also constrained to the containment element 6 in a spaced position with respect to the position of the first slider 38. In greater detail, the conformation of the first and second the guide 33, 34 in correspondence with the upper zone 5 defines an overturning system 35; more precisely, the first guide 33 has a first end portion 36 extending in a first vertical direction 37 (fig. 2), while the second guide 34 has a second end portion 39 which extends in at least a second direction 40 (fig. 2) different with respect to the first direction 37. The second terminal portion 39 defines an arched portion away from the first terminal portion 36 so that when the containment element 6 approaches the upper zone 5 the first and second guides (33 , 34) are able to move the sliders 38, 41 engaged in them according to differentiated trajectories so as to cause an angular rotation of the containment element 6 in conjunction with the lifting of the latter in proximity to the upper zone 5. As shown in figure 3 and in figure 3 bis, the angular movement of the containment element is such as to move a drain opening 47 (fig. 2) of the element containment element 6 from a condition in which said discharge opening 47 faces upwards (figure 3) to a condition in which the same opening 47 faces downwards (fig.3bis) and can discharge the material downwards, for example into the hopper 103 described above or into another treatment or storage component. Note that the containment element 6 also includes a loading opening 48 (figure 2) which, in the starting position where the containment element is at the base of the support structure 2 (figure 2), It is oriented horizontally, while in the final position after the overturning (figure 3bis) it is oriented in an inclined way close to the vertical.

The support structure 2 also engages a dragging element 7, of elongated conformation. The dragging element 7 is also engaged to the body of the containment element 6 and is configured to move the containment element 6 along the operating path 8 defined by the guides described above. In practice, the dragging element 7 comprises an elongated body arranged in proximity to the guides just described and having a plurality of openings 24 (see the detail in Figure 7) along its longitudinal extension. The openings 24 are spaced apart and are intended to receive in engagement the handling means 9 also associated with the support structure 2. It should be noted, as already described with reference to the guides, that the lifting system 1 can comprise a respective driving element 7 for each side of the support structure 2. From the construction point of view, the driving element 7 can comprise a chain 25, in which case the openings 24 are defined by substantially passing openings present between a link and the subsequent link of the chain 25. Alternatively, the driving element 7 can comprise a rack: in this case the openings 24 are defined by the successive cavities present between one tooth and the next tooth of the rack.

As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3 where the driving element 7 comprises a chain 25 for each side of the supporting structure 2, this driving element is arranged according to a substantially vertical development, parallel to the uprights of the supporting structure 2.

In order to activate the driving elements 7 in motion, movement means 9 are provided which are active on at least a portion of the driving elements 7. The movement means 9 cause the movement of the driving elements 7 which therefore, being engaged to containment element 6, involve the movement of the latter along the trajectory or operating path 8 defined by the guides 33, 34 described above. In particular, the handling means 9 comprise at least one motor 19 carried by the support structure 2 and at least one transmission member 20 connected to the motor 19 and capable of receiving motion from the latter to transfer it to a driven member 21 which It is in turn capable of engaging a portion of the driving element 7. In the case illustrated, as shown in figure 4 and figure 5, there is a motor 19 placed centrally, which transfers the motion to a transmission component 20 comprising a reducer 29 and a first and a second shaft 27, 28 each of which has a respective terminal portion connected to the gearmotor and a respective terminal portion where a respective driven member 21 active gripping the chain 25 or other element of drive 7. In this way, the motor 19 moves the aforementioned shafts according to a circular motion around a main rotation axis 22 to rotate the driven members 21 and therefore the chains 7 operating on each side of the support structure 2. The handling means 9 and the dragging element 7, thanks to their particular configuration and coupling, engage and release, during the movement of the containment element 6, gradually successive segments 10 (fig.7) of the driving element 7.

In other words, the driven member 21 is active on successive segments 10 of the driving element 7, engaging and releasing the openings 24 present on the driving element 7 itself. Going into further detail, each dragging element 7 defines a contact area 11 with the driven member 21. The contact area 11 has a substantially constant area during the movement of the containment element 6: in practice, the area of the contact surface between the driven member 21 and the portion affected by this contact on the driving element 7 is constant so as to allow a uniform and reliable transfer of the driving power.

Furthermore, the contact area 11 also has a certain longitudinal development so as to appropriately distribute the power on the various teeth of the driven member 21 (fig.4 and fig.5). For example, the contact area 11 extends, instant by instant, from an engagement point 13 (fig. 7) to a release point 14 between the driven member 21 of the handling means 9 and the driving element 7. The angular extension of the contact area along the surface of the driven member is between 90 ° and 200 °, optionally between 140 ° and 200 °. In the event that the driving element 7 is, as in the illustrated examples, a chain 25, the driven member 21 comprises at least one toothed crown 30 (fig. 7) which operates directly on the segments 10 of the driving element 7. As already briefly mentioned, the crown 30 receives the motion from the motor 19 and continuously transmits it to the driving element 7 by engaging the teeth of the crown 30 in the openings 24 present in the driving element 7 or in the openings 24 defined from the various links of the chain 25. It should be noted that the driven element 21 can also include organs of a slightly different nature. For example, if it is desired to use a toothed belt or a suitably shaped rack as the driving element 7, the driven member 21 could be made in the form of a pinion or another rolling element equipped with suitable toothing adapted to engage with the openings 24 present on the drag element 7.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the system 1 comprises a counterweight 16 (fig.3) engaged with a second portion 17 of the dragging element 7.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the counterweight 16 is housed for sliding motion in a respective guide 49 arranged according to a prevalently vertical direction of development and flanked by the guides 32 of the previous description. The counterweight 16 engages a second portion 7b (fig. 3) of the driving element 7 which therefore is inserted for a portion of it into the guides of the counterweight, as can be seen in both figure 2 and figure 3. The counterweight 16 allows to cooperate in lifting the load contained in the containment element 6 as this counterweight operates on a portion of the dragging element 7 opposed to the first portion 7a (fig. 2) of engagement with the containment 6 with respect to the point in which said handling means 9 act. In other words, the contact area 11 between the dragging element 7 and the driven member 21 extends in an intermediate section between the first portion 7a of the drag element 7, which engages the containment element, and the second portion 7b of the drag element 7, which engages the counterweight 16.

Figures 2 and 3 show a configuration in which the second portion 7b of the driving element 7, engaged with the counterweight 16, is an end portion of the driving element itself. However, it is possible to provide alternative solutions in which the dragging element 7 also extends beyond the counterweight 16. It is also possible to provide for the use of a plurality of counterweights suitably guided and engaged in correspondence with successive portions of the € ™ drag element 7.

In accordance with a further alternative of the invention, it can also be provided that the motor 19 is not arranged in correspondence with the top of the support structure 2. In fact, it is possible to provide a motor 19 placed in correspondence with the base 4 and connected with the driven member 21 through a transmission system comprising, one or more transmission elements or mechanical transmission members such as toothed wheels, pulleys, belts or other that allow to transfer the motion generated by the motor 19 to the driven member 21 placed in correspondence of the upper area 5.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, it should be noted that the lifting and unloading system 1, thanks to the particular verticality of the guides 33, 34 and the compactness of the handling means 9, has a bulk coefficient greater than 3.0. The overall height coefficient is defined as the ratio between the total height of the support structure 2 alone and the prevailing overall dimensions in plan: the latter is intended as the greater of the longitudinal measurement of the base. support 4 and the measurement of the horizontal distance between the axis 22 of the handling means 9 and the furthest end of the support base 4.

It should also be noted that the lifting system also has a counterweight coefficient, defined as the ratio between the counterweight and the net weight of the material lifted included in the range from 0.1 to 2.0; the counterweight is understood as the difference between the total weight of the counterweight 16 and the weight of the containment element 6.

Returning now to the description of the support structure 2, it should be noted that it is also part of a loading system 200 (fig. 6) used for loading inert and / or cementitious material into the hopper 103, on transport or storage systems underlying. The loading system 200 comprises at least one mixer 201 (figs.

6 and 8) carried by this support structure; the mixer 201 comprises a containment body 202 having a general inlet 203 for receiving material, and a general outlet 204 for discharging material towards the underlying hopper 103, which has a respective inlet 205 in fluid connection with said general outlet 204, and at least one outlet 206 la for unloading material, for example into the loading compartment of a concrete mixer.

The loading system 200 comprises at least one anti-clogging device 207 configured to prevent any overload and / or clogging of the hopper 103. In greater detail, the anti-clogging system 207 comprises an interception element 208 configured to allow metering of the passage of material between said mixer 201 and said hopper 103, and an adjustment system 209 engaged with the interception element 208 and / or with said mixer 201 and active on the interception element so as to allow a variation of the relative position between the interception element 208 and the mixer 201 on the basis of the detection of at least one control parameter by a sensor, as better described later on. The interception element 208 is interposed between the general outlet 204 of the mixer 201 and the inlet 205 of the hopper 103 allowing the adjustment of the area of passage of material from the general outlet 204 of the mixer 201 towards the hopper. From a manufacturing point of view, the interception element 208 comprises a sliding plate or a closing door hinged to one end of the general outlet 204 of said mixer 201. Depending on the case, the adjustment system moves in an oscillatory or translational way the plate or the door respectively.

In greater detail, the adjustment system 209 comprises a sensor 213 configured to allow the detection of the control parameter and transmit it to the control unit; the sensor 213 comprises a load cell 214, which allows a detection of a control parameter consisting of a load proportional to the weight of the hopper 103. It should be noted that alternatively or in combination with the load cell 214, the sensor can also comprise at least an overflow level sensor 215, which allows detection of a control parameter relating to the level of material inside the hopper, and / or at least a flow sensor, which allows detection of a control parameter corresponding to the flow rate material at the outlet of the hopper 103, and / or at least one pressure sensor, which allows the detection of a control parameter corresponding to the pressure at a predetermined section of the hopper.

If the sensor comprises a load cell 214 for detecting a load proportional to the weight of the hopper 103, this load cell 214 is operatively interposed between a portion integral with the hopper 103 and a portion integral with the support structure 2 : in practice, the support structure 2 comprises a support frame 218 rigidly carried by the same support structure 2 and protruding horizontally from the support structure 2. For example, a strut 221 other support system is interposed between at least one upright 104 of said support structure 2 and at least a base portion of the support frame 218 in order to adequately support at least part of the loads weighing on the latter. The load cell 214 is engaged between a first portion 219 of the hopper 103 and the support frame 218. More precisely, the hopper 103 comprises the first portion 219, which is engaged with the support frame 218 after interposition of the load cell 214, and a second portion 220, spaced from the first portion 219 and hinged to the support frame 218.

Finally, the regulation system 209 comprises a control unit 222, for example constituted by one or more programmable CPUs and / or by one or more analog control units. The control unit is connected to the sensor 213 in order to receive a signal relative to the control parameter from the latter. The adjustment system also comprises an actuator member 223 active on the interception element 208 to adjust, upon command of the control unit, the position of the interception member with respect to the general outlet opening from the mixer. The control unit 222 is in turn configured to command the actuator member 223 and automatically move the interception element 208 based on the intensity of the control parameter detected by said sensor 213. For example, the Control unit 222 is configured to compare the intensity of the control parameter with a reference threshold and, if this intensity exceeds the reference threshold, command the actuator member 223 to close the general output 204 of said mixer 201 . If the sensor is a load cell, the control unit compares the load detected by the load cell with a reference load and commands the partial or total closure of the mixer outlet if the value detected by the load cell exceeds a certain reference threshold considered indicative of a possible clogging condition. Regardless of the type of sensor used, at least one threshold value is previously stored in a memory connected to the control unit or the latter is configured to require an operator to enter the value of said threshold.

The control unit 222 can also be configured to memorize a reference value of the intensity of the control parameter and to command said actuator member 223 in order to maintain a real value of the intensity of the control parameter measured by said sensor 213 in a predetermined neighborhood of said reference value. If the sensor is a load cell, the control unit can be commanded to keep the detection of the load cell constant or in a predetermined range of variability so as to ensure that there is, moment by moment, substantially the same amount of cement conglomerate. Furthermore, the control unit 222 can be configured to calculate an actual material flow rate through the outlet 206 of the hopper 103 and stop the flow of material to the hopper 103 by the action on the interception element 208, when the mass output from the hopper 103 has, in a predetermined time interval, reached a corresponding load value to be transferred. For example, the control unit can be configured to keep the level of material in the hopper substantially constant and therefore knowing the outlet section of the hopper and the cement conglomerate used, calculate the real flow rate exiting instant by instant from the hopper itself, blocking automatically feeding material into the hopper once an overall load value transferred to the concrete mixer has been reached.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS 1. Loading system (200), in particular for loading inert and / or cementitious material, comprising: at least one support structure (2), at least one mixer (201) carried by said support structure (2), said mixer (201) comprising at least one containment body (202), at least one general inlet (203) for receiving material, at least one general outlet ( 204) for material unloading, at least one hopper (103) underlying said mixer (201) and having at least one inlet (205) in fluid connection with said general outlet (204) of said mixer (201), at least one outlet (206) which allows unloading of material from said hopper (103), characterized in that said loading system (200) comprises at least one anti-clogging device (207) configured to prevent any overload and / or clogging of the hopper (103). Loading system according to claim 1, wherein said anti-clogging system (207) comprises: at least one interception element (208) configured to allow the regulation of the passage of material between said mixer (201) and said hopper (103), at least one adjustment system (209) engaged with said interception element (208) and / or with said mixer (201), configured to allow a variation of the relative position between said interception element (208) and said mixer (201) in based on the detection of at least one control parameter. 3. Loading system according to the preceding claim, wherein said interception element (208) is interposed between said general outlet (204) of said mixer (201) and the inlet (205) of said hopper (103) allowing the adjustment of the area of the general outlet (204) of said mixer (201), optionally in which said interception element (208) comprises a sliding plate and / or a closing door hinged at one end of the general outlet (204) of said mixer (201). Loading system according to claims 2 or 3, wherein said regulation system (209) comprises a sensor (213) configured to allow the detection of said control parameter. Loading system according to the preceding claim, wherein said sensor (213) comprises at least one selected from the group comprising: â € ¢ at least one load cell (214), which allows the detection of a load proportional to the weight of the hopper (103), â € ¢ at least one overflow level sensor (215), which allows detection of the material level inside the hopper (103), â € ¢ at least one flow sensor (215), which allows detection of the relative flow rate to the material flow out of the hopper (103), â € ¢ at least one pressure sensor (215), which allows pressure to be detected at a predetermined section of the hopper (103). 6. Loading system according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said sensor (213) comprises a load cell (214), which allows a detection of a load proportional to the weight of the hopper (103), said load cell (214) being operatively interposed between a portion integral with said hopper (103) and a portion integral with said support structure (2). Load system according to the preceding claim, wherein said support structure (2) comprising a support frame (218) rigidly carried by said support structure (2) and in which said load cell (214) is engaged between a first portion (219) of said hopper (103) and the support frame (218). 8. Loading system according to the previous claim, wherein said hopper (103) comprises the first portion (219) engaged to the support frame (218) after interposition of the load cell (214) and a second portion (220), spaced apart from the first portion (219) and hinged to the support frame (218). Load system according to claims 7 or 8, wherein said support frame (218) projects horizontally from the support structure (2), optionally in which at least one strut (221) is interposed between at least one upright ( 104) of said support structure (2) and at least a base portion of said support frame (218). Loading system according to claim 2 or 3 in combination with any of claims 4 to 9, wherein said adjustment system (209) comprises: a control unit (222) connected to said sensor (213), an actuator member (223) active on the interception element (209), said control unit (222) being configured to control the actuator member (223) and automatically move said interception element (208) according to the intensity of the control parameter (210) detected by said sensor (213). 11. Loading system according to the preceding claim, in which said control unit (222) is configured to compare the intensity of the control parameter (210) with a reference threshold and, if this intensity exceeds the reference threshold, controlling the actuator member (223) to close the general outlet (204) of said mixer (201). Load system according to claim 10 or 11 wherein said control unit (222) is configured to store a reference value (224) of the intensity of the control parameter (210) and to control said actuator member (223) in order to maintain a real value (225) of the intensity of the control parameter measured by said sensor (213) in a predetermined neighborhood of said reference value.